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What Was

The Pony Express ran right through Churchill County during its brief existence of 18 months, between April 1860 and October 1861. They used a "northern" route and a "southern" route through the county, and the exact locations are lost in history, but we have a pretty good idea where they rode. The USGS maps mark the route in some locations, and you're left to guess in others.

Through Churchill County, the Pony Express generally followed the Simpson Route. According to the National Park Service,

"During the early spring of 1860, the C.O.C. & P.P. Express Co. sent out wagon trains with building materials and supplies to construct the needed relay stations along the entire route between St. Joseph and Sacramento. Supply trains originated from Leavenworth, Denver, Salt Lake City, and Sacramento along with work crews to locate and construct stations along the route. It is not known with certainty how many stations were in place by April 1860, when the Pony Express made its first run. One source states that there were 119 stations, with a "home" station every 75 to 100 miles apart so a rider could rest before returning in the other direction. Another source reported that in the beginning, the pony express system had a total of 153 stations and relay posts. Whichever number is correct, certainly additional stations were added and subtracted during the lifetime of the operation."

What is

Most of the original trail is gone. The National Park Service claims,

"Along many segments, the trail's actual route and exact length are matters of conjecture. In the western states, the majority of the trail has been converted, over the years, to double track dirt roads. These are typically used by private working ranches. Short pristine segments, believed to be traces of the original trail, can be seen only in Utah and California. However, approximately 120 historic sites may eventually be available to the public, including 50 existing Pony Express stations or station ruins."

Should you believe them. The BLM found a "lost" Pony Express station as late as 1998 by viewing aerial photographs, where they could see the trail still there.